The Gloucester County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing next Thursday night, June 7, about proposed changes to the zoning ordinance that will add agritourism activities, aquaculture facilities and seasonal sales as specifically defined uses.

The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the colonial courthouse, with the hearing to begin at 7:45.

Planner Tripp Little said that the changes, if approved, provide for agritourism activities by special exception, with criteria that have to be met in the C-2, RC-1, RC-2 and SC-1 districts. Meanwhile, aquaculture facilities would be allowed as permitted uses in the B-1, B-4, RC-1 and RC-2 districts (with supplementary requirements for permitting and handling) and by special exception with set criteria, in the C-1, C-2, and SC-1 districts.

Seasonal sales and farmers’ markets would also be permitted in all business districts, a county notice said.

The changes address seasonal sales lots, such as those that sell Christmas trees, Little said, and also allow these seasonal items to be sold at farmers’ markets, which are held on a regular basis with set items.

Peddlers are covered under separate county rules, Little said, and must provide a minimum of three off-street parking spaces for customers if they are set up along Routes 17 or 14.

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